Apple officially axes 17-inch MacBook Pro from notebook lineup

After introducing the next generation 15.4-inch MacBook Pro, complete with Retina Display and an all-new thin design, Apple took down the 17-inch version of its laptop from its online store, effectively killing off the large desktop replacement.

Although no official announcement was made during Apple's WWDC keynote on Monday, the disappearance of the 17-inch MacBook Pro from the company's online store can be taken as confirmation that the large-screened notebook has reached end-of-life.

Rumors that the venerable 17-inch notebook would see its demise first cropped up in April as analysts predicted flagging shipments would prompt Apple to cut the device from its lineup. Apple's online storefront now lists its entire lineup of notebook from the smallest 11-inch MacBook Air to the now top-of-the-line next generation 15.4-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display.

Whispers in December pointed to a refreshed 17-inch model upon news that Apple was looking into using a new 2,800 by 1.800 pixel display for its MacBook lineup, but it seems that the display was destined for the 15.4-inch device announced today.

The 17-inch MacBook Pro is now unlisted on the Apple online store. | Source: Apple

Apple was the first computer manufacturer to release a 17-inch laptop in 2003 and the model was continually updated with subsequent refreshes. The large screen size allowed the company more chassis space to include larger speakers and a higher number of internal components, but the recent trend toward portability saw sales of the monster laptop begin to slow. Originally, the 17-inch MacBook Pro targeted the professional demographic, evidenced by an anti-glare screen and high performance graphic cards.

It is unclear whether Apple will bring the model back when high-resolution display pricing drops, but it seems that most users, including professionals, are content with 15-inch products.